Electrical calculation circuit



Nov. 21, 1961 w. HOPPE ELECTRICAL CALCULATION CIRCUIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 22, 1954 INVENTOR WALTER HOPPE BY 51mg ATTORNEY Nov.2l,1961

Filed July 22, 1954 W. HOPPE ELECTRICAL CALCULATION CIRCUIT 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mar/v rag wmw 14 fhGY Nov. 21, 1961 Filed July 22, 1954 W. HOPPE ELECTRICAL CALCULATION CIRCUIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fig.5

/4/1/EA/ me United States Patent" ELECTRICAL CALCULATION CIRCUIT Walter Hoppe, Bern, Switzerland, assiguor to El-Re-Ma S.A. per lo sfruttamento di brevetti, Lugano, Switzerland, a corporation of Switzerland Filed July 22, 1954, Ser. No. 445,119 Claims priority, application Switzerland July 31, 1953 7 Claims. (Cl. 235-174) This invention relates to electrical calculation circuits.

It is well-known practice in calculating machines to make use of calculation circuits comprising, for each decimal place, two groups of elements the combination of which makes it possible to define one of the digits between and 9. One of these two groups has elements and is designated as being a quinary group, the second group having two elements and being designated as binary. Each element of the first group in combination with one of the two elements of the second group makes it possible, according to a code suitably chosen, to define one of the digits between 0 and 9.

In previous electrical calculating machines, the above two groups of a decimal place, as well as the decimal places, are connected in parallel, which requires a large number of contacts and hence powerful, heavy and cumbersome relays.

The present invention is concerned with an electrical calculation circuit intended to perform a simple operation with two numbers, each digit of a units place of these numbers being defined by the positions of certain contacts belonging to two sets of contacts arranged in two calculation groups respectively, the contacts arranged in each group being connected to each other and to the windings of relays designed to define the result of the said simple operation. By simple operation, addition and subtraction are to be understood, as opposed to compound operations, such as multiplicatin and division, which can be performed by means of a series of additions or subtractions.

The characteristic feature of this circuit is that each calculation group has two input conductors and two output conductors, of which one input and one output are provided for the transmission of carries, the two output conductors of one of the groups being connected to the two input conductors of the other group, respectively, the said relays each having two windings connected to the two output conductors respectively, while the two input conductors are connected to double contacts.

The electrical calculation circuit according to the invention has the advantage of making it possible to reduce the number of the contacts, which makes it possible to use lighter and less cumbersome relays.

This reduction in the number of contacts is especially noticeable when 5- and 2-position multiple-contact wipers are used to introduce one of the two numbers of a calculation operation. The use of these wipers in a calculation circuit having a binary group anda quinary group for each decimal place also makes it possible to decrease the time for their assuming their positions, these latter numbering 5 instead of as in the case of a calculation circuit on the decimal system.

The annexed set of drawings illustrates, by way of examples, some embodiments of the circuit according to the invention.

FIG. 1 represents a circuit designed for calculation on the biquinary system.

FIG. 2 represents an analogous circuit for calculation on the odd-even system.

FIGS. 3 and 4 represent circuits'for calculation on the biquinary and odd-even systems respectively, comprising tables of addition.

FIG. 5 shows a special arrangement of four contacts.

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I FIG. 1 shows a decimal place of an electrical calcula-' tion circuit intended to perform additions. This circuit comprises two groups of contacts A and B each intended. to define one of the two numbers involved in an addition, the result of which is defined by relays belonging to a group R. The A group comprises a five-position multiplecontact wiper and a two-position multiple contact wiper in each decimal place. The B group comprises, in each decimal place, double contacts b0, b1, b2, b3, b4, bu and bv, while the R group comprises seven relays, each bearing two windings.

The decimal place illustrated has two input conductors c1 and c2 and two output conductors el and e2. A complete calculation circuit comprises a plurality of decimal places and is composed of a series of circuits according to FIG. 1, these circuits being connected to each other in series, the output conductors el and e2 of a decimal place being connected to the input conductors c1 and c2, re spectively, of the next decimal place. When the result defined in a decimal place is less than 10, the current leaves this decimal place by e1, while if this result is equal to or greater than 10, it leaves by e2 in order to effect a tens carry in the next decimal place.

In the calculation circuit represented, the two inputs (:1, (:2 go to five double contacts b0, b1, b2, b3, b4, which which are connected to six movable points aml of a multiple-contact wiper, these contacts being capable of being shifted with respect to ten fixed points afl. Each of these fixed points is connected to a relay winding. These windings are placed two on a relay. Windings 1R0 and 2R0 are placed on the same relay, 1R1 and 2R1 are likewise placed on a second relay and so on up to 1R4 and 2R4. These ten windings are connected in two groups of five that go to connections d1 and d2. All the elements designated above constitute a quinary calculation group.

Connections d1 and d2 are connected to double contacts bu, bv, which are in connection with threemovable points amu of a two-position multiple-contact wiper. These movable points are capable of being shifted with respect to four fixed points afu, which are connected to four windings lRu. lRv, 2Ru and 2Rv. Windings lRu and 2Ru are mounted on a first relay and windings 1Rv and 2Rv on a second relay. Windings lRu and lRv are connected to an output conductor e1, while windings 2Ru and 2Rv are connected to output conductor e2. The elements included between the connections d1, d2 and e1, e2 constitute a binary calculation group. 7

Double contacts to b4 and bu, bv are intended to define, by their closure, a digit between 0 and 9. The following table indicates the contacts that must me made for each digit of a decimal place: H H v j digit binary quinary contacts contacts bu b0 bu b1 bu b2 bu b3 bu b4 It will be seen that contacts b0 to b4 make it possibleto define the digits from 0 to 4 when contact bu is closed,

while they define the digits from Sto 9 when contact by is closed. V The two multiple-contact wipers are likewise intended to the movable points aml can assume five positions with respect to points afl and hence define the digits to 4; points Limit of the multiple-contact wiper of the binary group should be able to assume two positions with respect to the four fixed points in order to indicate whether a zero or a five should be added to the number defined in the quinary group.

The double contacts and the multiple-contact wipers are connected in such a way as to make a current entering at 01 pass through the windings of those relays that define the result of the addition of the two numbers defined in the double contacts and the multiple-contact wipers. The relay bearing windings 1R0 and 2R0 defines the digit 0, the one bearing windings 1R1 and 2R1 defines the digit 1 and so on up to 2R4. The relay bearing windings IR and 2R indicates that the digit 0 is to be added to the number defined in the quinary group, while the relay bearing windings lRv and 2Rv indicates that a should be added to this number.

In the position represented in FIG. 1, the double contacts define the digit 8, for contacts b3 and bv are closed. The multiple-contact wipers define the digit two, for the five-position wiper is set in its second position from the bottom and the two-position wiper is in its lower position.

The current entering at c1 passes across the lower contact of double contact b3, goes through winding 2R0, then through upper contact bv and through winding ZRu before leaving via e2. The excitation of the relays bearing windings 2R0 and 2R1: indicates that the result of the addition in this decimal place is equal to zero and the fact that the current leaves via e2 signifies that a tens carry is to be made in the next decimal place. If the current had been sent through c2 instead of c1, it would have gone through the upper contact of b3 and winding 2R1, thus defining the digit 1 instead of zero. input conductor c2 makes it possible to add a 1 to the sum of the two numbers defined by the two groups of contacts.

FIG. 2 represents a variant embodiment, in which the binary group comes before the quinary group. The calculation takes place according to a system known as oddeven. The double contacts and wiper of the quinary group each make it possible to define the even digits: 0,

digit binary contacts quinary contacts It is thus seen that The definition of the numbers in the A and B groups takes place in analogous fashion. In FIG. 2, double contacts bu and b4 are closed, which defines the digit 4 in the B group. The two-position wiper is in its lower position and the five-position wiper is moved up one position, which defines the digit 2. It will be seen that if a current is sent through (:1 it goes through windings lRu and 1R6, which defines the digit 6. The current leaves via e1, which means that there is no tens carry to transmit to the next decimal place.

FIG. 3 represents a circuit equivalent to that of FIG. 1, but one in which the five position wiper is replaced by five sextuple contacts a0, a1, a2, a3, a4. These last are connected to double contacts b0 to b4 in such a way as to constitute a table of addition. In order to make it possible to follow the equivalence of the circuits of FIGS. 1 and 3, the closed contacts of FIG. 3 have been so chosen as to define the same numbers as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 represents a circuit equivalent to that of FIG. 2, in which the five-position wipers have likewise been replaced by five sextuple contacts a0, a2, a4, a6, a8. A triple two-position switch an takes the place of the two-position wiper. The double contacts and the sextuple contacts are again connected in such a way as to form a table of addition. In FIG. 4, the digit 4 is defined in the B group by the closure of b4 and bu, while the digit 8 is defined in the A group by the closure of sextuple contact a8 and by the position of triple switch all. The current entering at 01 goes through windings 1R1! and 2R2 to come out at e2, which signifies that the result of the addition gives a 2 in this decimal place and that a tens carry has to be transmitted to the next decimal place.

In the four embodiments described above, the contacts of the A and B groups have always been connected to the windings of the relays of the R group in such a way that these last indicate the result of an addition of the numbers defined in the A and B groups, but it is clearly understood that these contacts could be connected to each other and to the windings of the relays of the R group in such a way as to perform subtractions. These examples of construction were designed to define the digits from 0 to 9, but it is clearly understood that they could be modified in such a way as to define more or less than ten digits, for example in calculating machines intended for monetary systems difierent from the decimal system. If in such a machine one of the orders of units should have to be able to define twelve different numbers, the binary and quinary groups could be replaced, for example, by groups on the basis of 3 and 4.

As a variant, it would be possible to do away with one of the relays of the R group in each binary calculation group, provided that rest contacts were provided on the relay or relays remaining. In that case it is advisable to replace the windings of the relay that has been eliminated by resistances of the same value, in order to prevent the total resistance of the calculation circuit from varying according to whether the current does or does not pass through windings in the binary groups. Thus, in FIG. 1, for example, windings lRu and 2R1: could be replaced by resistances and the working contacts of relay Ru by rest contacts of relay Rv. The sets of contacts of the binary group will be able always to direct the current into any one of four paths, but only two of those paths will include a relay Winding, the two others being made up of resistances.

It is also possible to eliminate one of the relays of the quinary group. FIG. 5 shows a diagram in which it is possible to direct a current into five difierent lines 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 by means of four two-position contacts, one position being the working position and the other the rest position. These four contacts are designated by r0, r1, r2 and r3, respectively and are represented in their rest position. Contact r0 can be controlled by the relay that defines Zero and 'carries windings 1R0 and 2R0, the contast r1 by the relay bearing windings 1R1 and 2R1, etc. The relay bearing windings 1R4 and 2R4 and defining the digit 4 can then be eliminated, while its windings are replaced by resistances. When the relay defining zero is excited, contact r0 is actuated and connects input conductor f with line 0. If the relay defining the digit 1 is energized, contact r1 is actuated and establishes the circuit between line 1 and input f, by means of contact r0, which is in its rest position. When no relay is energized, the current entering at 1 goes successively across the four contacts, which are in their rest positions, and reaches line 4. We see that it is possible to suppress, in each decimal place, one relay in the binary group and one relay in the quinary group.

I claim;

1. An electrical calculating machine for the addition of numbers, a quinary assembly comprising five relays each having a double winding so that there is a first group of five windings and a second group of five windings, one end of said first group being connected to a first common terminal and one. end of said second group being connected to a second common terminal, a six point switch movable to connect to the other ends of said windings, a first incoming line, a first group of spaced contacts connected to said first incoming line, a second incoming line, a second group of spaced contacts connected to said second incoming line, double pole switches connected to pairs of contacts of said six point switch and movable to selectively connect said pairs of contacts to a spaced contact of said first incoming line and to a spaced contact on said second incoming line, and a binary assembly comprising a pair of spaced contacts connected to said first common terminal and a pair of spaced contacts connected to said second common terminal, a pair of relays with each having a double winding having one end of a first pair of windings on one relay connected to an outlet line and having one end of a second pair of windings on the other relay connected to a second outlet line, a three pole switch connectible to the other ends of said windings, and a pair of double pole switches connected to pairs of contacts of said three pole switch and movable to selectively connect said pairs of contacts to a contact of said first common terminal and to a contact of said second common terminal.

2. An electrical calculating machine for the addition of numbers, a quinary assembly comprising five relays each having a double winding so that there is a first group of five windings and a second group of five windings, one end of said first group being connected to a first common outlet line and one end of said second group being connected to a second common outlet line, a six point switch movable to connect to the other ends of said windings, a first row of spaced contacts, a second row of spaced contacts, double pole switches connected to pairs of contacts of said six points switch and movable to selectively connect pairs of said contacts of said six pole switch to a spaced contact of said first row of spaced contacts and to a spaced contact of said second row of spaced contacts, a binary assembly comprising a pair of relays each having a double winding, one end of the double winding of one relay being connected in common to said first row of spaced contacts and one end of the double winding of the other relay being connected in common to said second row of spaced contacts, a three pole switch movable to connect to the other ends of said windings, a first incoming line, a pair of spaced contacts connected to said first incoming line, a second incoming line, a pair of spaced contacts connected to said second incoming line, a pair of double pole switches connected to pairs of contacts of said three pole switch and selectively movable to connect said pairs of contacts to a contact of said first incoming line and to a contact of said second incoming line.

3. An electrical calculating machine for addition of numbers comprising in combination a quinary assembly and binary assembly, said quinary assembly comprising a group of five relays with each relay having a pair of windings with a first end and a second end and having the first end of each winding connected to a fixed contact individual to said winding, a six-contact wiper movable to engage said fixed contacts in five operative positions, a first row of contacts connected each to a first incoming line, a second row of contacts connected each to a second incoming line, a set of five double pole single throw switches conected to the contacts of said six-contact wiper to selectively connect a pair of said wiper contacts to a contact in said first row of contacts and to a contact in said second row of contacts, the second end of one group of windings on said five relays being connected in common to a first outgoing line, and the second end of another group of windings on said five relays being connected in common to a second outgoing line, a pair of spaced contacts connected to said first outgoing line, a pair of spaced contacts connected to said second outgoing line, saidbinary assembly comprising a pair of relays with each having two windings and with a first end of each winding connected to a fixed contact individual to said winding, a three-contact wiper switch movable to engage said fixed contacts of said windingin two operative positions, a pair of two-pole single throw switches connected to the contacts of said three contact wiper to selectively connect wiper contacts to a contact connected to said first outgoing line and to a contact connected to said second outgoing line, the two windings of one relay being connected in common to a third outgoing line, and the two windings of the other relay being connected in common to a fourth outgoing line, one of said outgoing lines and one of said incoming lines connecting with the carries device of the machine.

4. An electrical calculating machine for addition of numbers comprising in combination a quinary assembly and binary assembly, said quinary assembly comprising a group of five relays with each relay having a pair of windings with a first end and a second end and having the first end of each winding connected through operable quinary addition switching means to a first incoming line and a second incoming line, the second end of one group of windings on said five relays being connected in common to a first outgoing line, and the second end of another group of windings on said five relays being connected in common to a second outgoing line, said binary assembly comprising a pair of relays with each having twowindings and with a first end of each winding connected through operable binary addition switching means to a third and a fourth incoming lines, the second end of one group of windings of said pair of relays being connected in common .to a third outgoing line, and the second end of another group of' windings being connected in common to a fourth outgoing line, two outgoing lines of one of said two assemblies being respectively connected to the two incoming lines of the other of said assemblies. 5. An electrical calculating machine for addition of numbers comprising in combination a quinary assembly and binary assembly, said quinary assembly comprising a group of five relays with each relay having a pair of windings with a first end and a second end and having the first end of each winding connected to a first switching means capable of connecting at will six of said first ends to a set of five double-pole single throw switches, said set of switches having a first row and a second row of five contacts respectively connected to a first incom ing line and a second incoming line to selectively connect two of said first ends to said first and second incoming lines, the second end of one group of windings on said five relays being connected in common to a first outgoing line and the second end of another group of windings on said five relays being connected in common to a second outgoing line, said binary assembly comprising a pair of relays with each having two windings and with a first end of each winding connected to a second switching means capable of connecting at will three of said first ends of the windings of said pair of relays to two doublepole single throw switches having four fixed contacts,

two of said fixed contacts connected to a third incoming line, the two other fixed contacts being connected to a fourth incoming line, said two double-pole switches connecting selectively said three ends to said third and fourth incoming lines, the second end of one group windings of said pair of relays being connected in common to a third outgoing line, and the second end of another group of windings being connected in common to a fourth outgoing line, two outgoing lines of one of said two assemblies being respectively connected to the two incoming lines of the other of said assemblies.

6. An electrical calculating machine for addition of numbers comprising in combination a quinary assembly and binary assembly, said quinary assembly comprising a group of five relays with each relay having a pair of windings with a first end and a second end and having the first end of each winding connected to a fixed contact individual to said winding, a six-contact wiper movable to engage said fixed contacts in five operative positions, a first row of contacts connected each to a first incoming line, a second row of contacts connected each to a second incoming line, a set of five double-pole single throw switches connected to the contacts of said sixcontact wiper to selectively connect a pair of said wiper contacts to a contact in said first row of contacts and to a contact in said second row of contacts, the second end of one group of windings on said five relays being connected in common to a first outgoing line, and the second end of another group of windings on said five relays being connected in common to a second outgoing line, a first relay interposed in series with said first incoming line, said first relay having a pair of windings connected in common at one end to said first incoming line, each of said windings at their respective other ends being connected to a fixed contact individual to each of said respective windings, a second relay interposed in series with said second incoming line and having a pair of windings connected in common at one end to said second incoming line, each of said windings at their respective other ends being connected to a fixed contact individual to each of said respective windings, a multiple contact wiper switch movable to engage said fixed contacts of said windings in two operative positions, a pair of two-pole single throw switches connected to the contacts of said wiper, a third incoming line connected to a pair of spaced contacts, a fourth incoming line connected to a pair of spaced contacts, said pair of two-pole switches being movable to selectively connect contacts of said multiple contact wiper to a contact connected to said third incoming line and to a contact connected to said fourth incoming line.

7. An electrical calculating machine for the addition of numbers, comprising, in combination, a quinary assembly and a binary assembly, a first group of spaced contacts connected to a first incoming line, a second group of spaced contacts conneced to a second incoming line, said quinary assembly comprising a plurality of relays with each having a double winding and having one end of a single winding of each of said plurality of relays connected in common to a first outlet line and having one end of another single winding of each of said plurality of relays connected in common to a second outlet line, the other ends of said windings being connected each to contacts individual to each winding, a group of six contact switches selectively connectible to said winding contacts, a plurality of double pole single throw switches connected to the contacts of said six contact switches and movable to selectively connect said contacts of said six contact switches to contacts in said first and said second groups of spaced contacts connected to said first and to said second incoming lines, respectively, a third group of spaced contacts connected to said first outlet line, a fourth group of spaced contacts connected to said second outlet line, said binary assembly comprising a pair of relays with each relay having a double winding, one end of said double winding on one relay being connected in common to a third outlet line and one end of the double winding of the other relay being connected in common to a fourth outlet line, the other ends of said windings being each connected to a fixed contact individual to each winding, a three-point switch movable to selectively engage said fixed contacts of said windings, and double pole single throw switches connected to said three point switch and movable to selectively connect said three point switch to selected contacts of said third and fourth groups of contacts, respectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,364,540 Luhn Dec. 5, 1944 2,386,763 Williams Oct. 16, 1945 2,486,809 Stibitz Nov. 1, 1949 2,601,281 Hartley et al. June 24, 1952 2,679,977 Andrews June 1, 1954 2,699,290 Hoppe Jan. 11, 1955 

